PELE...G0L...GOAL, a photo from District of Columbia, South

Photographer's Note

GOL...GOAL

"If you would use the word 'perfect,' Pele is almost there. He was the greatest soccer player in the history of this game," according to former West German star, Franz Beckenbauer, on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury.

"Heroes walk alone, but they become myths when they ennoble the lives and touch the hearts of all of us," said former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, "For those who love soccer, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, generally known as 'Pele,' is a hero."

In the 1960s and 1970s, Pele traveled the world with his club team, Santos, and his national team Brazil, entertaining crowds with his magical brand of soccer. But you didn't have to see him to believe in him. His name became a myth that traveled to the far reaches of the world. The world wanted to touch, to witness Pele. A pair of mythic figures exist in other sports Muhammad Ali in boxing and Michael Jordan in basketball but Pele happens to be the unrivaled king of the sport played by more people than any other. Thus no other athlete could rival the magnitude of his popularity. Indeed, he was quite simply Brazil's greatest ambassador to the rest of the world.

After Pele retired from playing the game in Brazil, he played for a few years with the New York Cosmos team. In 1976 I was attending a match between the Washington Diplomats and the visiting New York Cosmos. I was shooting with a Nikon F and an 800 mm Questar lens, equivalent to a 1200 mm digital lens. A small reflecting telescope, this was the same lens used by astronauts traveling to the moon. Of course, a tripod was necessary for the shot, as I caught Pele scoring a goal, one of 1281 goals he scored during his professional career spanning 22 year. He was 35-years old at the time. I apologize for the graininess of the photo. It is a scan of a Kodachrome-64 slide.

To see an even more dramatic, and also "ancient" shot, take a look at Bubble About to Burst!, in which the lens was a 1600-mm Questar telescope/lens.

This will be the last photo that I am able to post, before leaving for Europe for almost four weeks. I would like to dedicate this shot to some of my good Brazilian friends Nivaldo and Zeca on Trekearth.

conneally, delic, salvator, nivaldo, Photo65Net, jaywalker, sabyasachi1212, jhm, stego, Docarmo, Tort, thea0211, zeca, saylan-cb, sayan, ahmetgedikli, isabela_sor, cobbydale, AROBN54, doubay, madux, lucasgalodoido, thor68, jurgen, BWJ, CLODO, nikkitta, Sonata11 oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

conneally (105) 2007-06-27 9:55

caught from behind the goal and through the net - the subject will always make this photo interesting - as soon as i saw his shape i thought can that be pele - the great pele - and yes it is - i like the shape of the defender's arm too the bend of it behind him - pele one of the beautiful games most beautiful

thanks for sharing

veyselk (0) 2007-06-27 10:18

merhaba bulent hocam

daha ben dunyaya bile gelmemisken siz fotografla ugrasiyomussunuz tebrikler. futbolun efsanelerini ayni karede gormek bir ayrıcalikken siz cekmissiniz. ellerinize saglik hocam...

veysel

jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-06-27 10:29

hello Bulent
king Pele himself ! good action capture, fine quality for a scanned photo, interesting POV with the goal and the net in the frame, that gives a lot to the photo, we feel he's going to shot with the head, well done, have a good journey
regards
jo

delic (6735) 2007-06-27 10:31

Merhaba,
Never mind the grain, Bulent. How many people would get to photograph Pele score a goal, not counting the professionals? I think this is a fantastic capture of the decisive Pele moment. Just wish the ball was there, too. But hey, can't ask for everything. Great work! Regards,
Hakan

salvator (19110) 2007-06-27 11:02

Hello Bulent Bey,
Wonderful catch, superb freeze - Pele in the air. The colors, the sharpness is simply superb.
I wish you an excellent trip. Best personal regards. Salvator.

donluicu (24741) 2007-06-27 11:30

wow..
icredible scan..
800mm!!!!! a big digital 500mm anyway...awesome....

very good shot

i see your coming in Europe, i hope you'll come to see us in Corsica!!

regards

nivaldo (15417) 2007-06-27 11:41

June 1976... 31 years ago! My medical graduation was in Dec. 1977!!! A long time ago!!!
So much I had seen around the world and so many emotions I'd felt during all those years, too! One of them, the Soccer World Cups... and Pelé was really the STAR!
TFS, Bulent!
Tesekküe ederim!
Um abraço,
Nivaldo

UnTrained (0) 2007-06-27 11:55

Hi Bulent,
a very historical one and that is magnificent, because photography is much older and Pele is at this state a famous but not historical person (because of living and playing). Only 31 years before (and some days), but for sure a historical one. His story also reflects the upcoming worldwide heros by mass media. Not to be understood in any wrong way, Pele is out of any discussion as he was not only a great sportsman but also is an engaged and friendly man. Thanks for this shot full of motion and emotion, digitised in more than acceptable quality.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-06-27 13:12

Bulent,
A mythic player, outstanding catch... I wish I have shot one of this legend.
Great sport capture, and I like that a lot.
Great job,
Regards,
JB.

Mondaychild (378) 2007-06-27 13:28

Hi Bülent,

it seems you had the best place in the whole stadium ... Amazing POV, I truly like the view through the net - I have to say that I tried the same at a match last week (but not -yet -so famous players, just pupils ;-))
Perhaps a bit lower POV would have been better (full photo would have been covered by the web; keeper fully visible) - but who cares: you captured an unique moment!

Have a nice trip! Which countries will you visit? If you are planning to visit Austria, feel free to contact me!

jaywalker (16105) 2007-06-27 13:38

Hi Bulent, Now football is my sport & there is no arguing that Pele was the greatest, I only wish I had the opportunity to see him play in his prime, this is a superb shot of the wonderful man, as you say only arguably Ali could be mentioned in the same breath as him, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

edal (6804) 2007-06-27 15:20

Merhaba Bulent bey!
It's outstanding to get them on the fly! 800 mm telesscope - that's power enharnessed in the Nikon! Good freeze of the moment!
Anton

Emre_D (124) 2007-06-27 17:06

selamlar;
fotograf kesinlikle klasik olmaya aday!!! tek kelimeyle muhtesem!!!
benden neredeyse 10 yas daha buyuk ama netlikte sorun yok!!! harika is cikarmissiniz
grainler de boyle bir fotograf icin hic sorun degil, hatta daha da nostaljik olmus bence..
tekrar tebrikler ve paylasim icin tesekkurler..
emre

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2007-06-28 2:07

Hello Professor,
So you got to witness the KING! And photograph him scoring a goal too! This must be a memorable shot for you! Interestingly, I too witnessed Pele in a match around the same time. As a seven year old kid, I couldn't photograph, but have wonderful memories of Pele playing for Cosmos against Indian club Mohan Bagan at Kolkata way back in 1977. Cosmos drew the match 2-2 with Mohan Bagan and it has been a highpoint in the history of the more than a century old club. Almost a hundred thousand people filled up the galleries back then.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

jhm (211736) 2007-06-28 4:26

Hello dear Bulent,

Not alone the best football player, but also the most best ambassador of this sport, always very friendly, courteous and a school example for our youth.
Your picture is 31 year old but I see Pele with the eyes of then, very lovely dear Bulent for placing this beautiful image.
Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John.

toto (0) 2007-06-28 6:06

Belle photo de ce matche de foot,belle réalisation, mais ou est passé le ballon, dedans d' aprčs le titre. Amitiés Thomas

erel (11890) 2007-06-28 13:22

MERHABA
Efsane bir kare için ne denirki candan tebrikler EREL

anesugur (18789) 2007-06-28 15:30

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
Pele gibi bir efsaneyi seyretmek, üstelik de fotoğrafını çekmek herkese nasip olmayacak büyük bir şans.
Bizimle de paylaştığınız için teşekkürler.
Selam ve saygılar. Uğur

stego (24132) 2007-06-28 18:34

Hello Bülent,
I am really impressed with this one! Seeing the big star on it is almost a minor detail, as more impressive than that photo wise it is the technical and aesthetic value. Having had the privilege to talk once or twice with two famous sports, I am fully aware how it is difficult to get such a good photo, albeit I am not particularly fan of soccer (quite an eccentricity for a Portuguese :-) or sports photography.
The scan and the state of such an old film is another good surprise.
You surely are an eclectic person, either in your interests and knowledge or as a photographer.
TFS, Regards, José.

Bluejeans (64251) 2007-06-28 19:23

Ola amigo Bulent fantastica esta tua foto de 1976 com o Pele, incrivel esta tua lente de 800mm , gostei de ver esta tua velha foto , parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

PixelTerror (0) 2007-06-29 4:53

Hi Bulent,
This is not a scene we would value for its clarity by todays standards, although you have managed a good focus through the net, which was the challenging point here, no this picture is highly valuable for its documentary value, even for people not at all interested in football like me.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

Docarmo (9767) 2007-06-29 12:03

Hi Bulent,
Excelent presentation, especially considering how old the photograph is and the procedures it underwent until arriving here on this page. It is a NICE SHOT and a good note too!
I say this not because I am Brazilian, but because unquestionably Pelé is part of the history of the planet, as the most famous player of the most popular SPORT of the entire world. And he is a good person too.
Well, I will not repeat what everybody have already said. I would just add that I am very glad to see Pelé here.
Thank you, Bulent, for sharing such a good moment with us.
Maria do Carmo

thea0211 (1365) 2007-06-29 12:24

hi bulent,
you do agree dynamic shots are fun, don't you? and even more when they picture celebrities as you have here - very well seen and done!
i wish you a very good (working) holiday and also good luck with your new book!
meanwhile take care and have a great weekend,
dora

Tort (2266) 2007-06-29 14:01

Hi Bulent
Pelé is unforgetable! Great shot! Good composition with fine quality for a scanned photo. I like it. Excellent nota. Congratulations
Best regards
Juan Tort

Apex (336) 2007-06-30 15:59

Hello Bulent.
You've captured a classic moment. The players almost appear to be flying. The shot from behind the net also adds uniqueness to the composition. Well done.
Jeff.

paura (25802) 2007-07-01 9:44

Bulent,
Nice picture here. The composition, in a clear motion effect, is beautiful.

Paulo

P.S.: Your book is a success here in Brazil.

lukasson (133) 2007-07-01 15:02

Hello,
You're pulling out some cracking shots that you obviously took a long time ago!
Obviously i never saw Pele play, but APPARENTLY he was pretty good... lol an older generation's Ronaldinho some might say! This is a great shot, i like the way you can't actually see the ball, so it looks like he's making the most amateur of errors and has taken his eye off it and has taken an 'air shot' embarressing if only it were true, but i doubt the master ever did that!
Great shot, Keep them coming.
Luke

sothy81 (9646) 2007-07-01 21:14

Hi Bulent,

This is a very spontaneous capture. Very nice action shot. It can be used for a sport newspaper report. Well done.

Sothy

zeca (19762) 2007-07-02 9:17

Hello my dear friend Bulent!
I am glad to see this picture. Thanks for your dedication!
Pelé did a lot for the sport. Futebol, Football, Soccer, Calcio, whatever is the name we could say, Pelé is really an icon all around the world. He did and do a lot for Brazil also, like the best ambassador we could have. I also recognize its rectitude, since the poor boy had not lose himself in the success. God bless him.
You did a nice shot and this is an excellent post! TFS!
Abraços,
Zeca

capthaddock (28790) 2007-07-02 9:53

Hello Bülent - fascinating "historical" documentary, I'm amazed at the image quality once again, great dynamic timing, I wish the ball was also in the frame, but you can't have everything.

saylan-cb (12738) 2007-07-02 23:00

Futbolun efsane ismi pele'yi nostaji bir karede yaşatmak çok güzel.
Mükemmel bir paylaşım...
Ellerinize sağlık

sayan (2617) 2007-07-03 0:07

Wow Prof Atalay!! You have captured "black pearl"! It is a historic photo in TE in my opinion, taken in 1976! Wonderful. Apart from the dynamicness in it, this compo is really valuable due its documentary value and due to its oldness! I have never seen Pele playing, as Sabyasachi pointed out that he was a seven year old boy when Pele played in Kolkata. I was not born at that time! Thanks for sharing this gem with us.

regards

Sayan

happypoppeye (4819) 2007-07-05 12:59

Yeah, right now you're probably cruising the Mediterean (spelling? - now I know that's wrong) sipping a cocktail, counting your money for getting paid to do it....

Hahaha...sorry, had to

Great Pele photo. What can I say...It's Pele.

But, Where's the soccer ball...or should I say football.

Which begs me to ask - how would Pele do against the offensive line of the Redskins?

Hmmm...now that's a photo.

Great catch.
A moment you recorded that canoot be recorded again.
Great work.
John

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2007-07-09 4:44

Değerli Hocam,
Efsane futbolcuyu 31 yıl önce bir maçta görüntüleyip bizimle paylaştığın için sağol! Hocam siz hep büyük işler yapmışsınız, bu da onlardan biri; bir kılasik!
Elinize sağlık, selam ve saygı.
Ahmet

Yar (793) 2007-07-09 12:50

Was it him? Really him?
Seems like it's a luck seeing that great man in action, congratulations!
PS: very nice action shot

meltemi (0) 2007-07-15 9:27

Hello Bulent,
you're totally right, this is the eternal and longlasting perfection in soccer. Wonderful image, great colors and sharpness. I like this "flying" pose.
Kind Regards.
Stella

leonorkuhn (16237) 2007-07-21 18:30

Hi Bulent,

Very good action shot full of dinamism. Good colors ans DOF. Great image!

Have a nice sunday
Leonor

isabela_sor (47748) 2007-07-27 0:48

My God...how I missed this one?????This is not only a pic is a real document!!!My father must see this,because he loved and still loves Pele!I can't comment anymore this shot I wanna say only thank you
Hugs

dospordostres (1170) 2007-08-01 18:27

Dear Bulent,
Amazing to have seen Pele playing!! Though I must say that, while it is true that Pele was the best human player ever, Maradona excelled him.
It is very nice to see these photos from your drawer, particularly because you can recreate the story and the technical stuff so vividly after more than 30 years. I hope that your new book project results as succesful as the previous one, and that we'll still get to see more of you here at TE.
Best regards,

Daniel

AROBN54 (11475) 2007-08-04 12:38

Oh, Bulent,
what an amazing and wonderful shot! Even I, though not a huge soccer fan, know who Pele is. You have captured the action beautifully and it is as fresh now as when taken. Your note, too, as always, is excellent. Warmest regards,
Shelly

doubay (674) 2007-08-10 11:32

Hi Bulent!
Hey, did you really made a photo of Pele scoaring a goal! That’s amazing - even if it´s only one of 1281 goals!
Even I am fascinated although I’m no football fan. It’s a pity you didn’t captured the ball in the net.
Regards
Andreas

rozy975 (3047) 2007-09-03 14:54

Pele in the air and shooting the ball for a goal.
Impressive and exceptional work.
Do not mind the grain, it gives a beautiful effect to the photo.
Well done and thanks for sharing this piece of history!

Angshu (56760) 2007-09-21 1:23

Hello Professor "A"
You were privileged to see Pele in action, perhaps (arguably) the greatest player Football has ever seen. Your position for taking this shot is excellent & love to see the action through the net. A very good picture of great documentary & sporting history value.
With warmest regards
Angshuman

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2007-11-27 14:35

Hi Bulent!
Fantastic and historical shot! Pelé is most famous soccer player! The quality of imagem is great too!
Congratulatiosn and Hug!

ekinokswest (2994) 2008-01-13 15:00

Degerli Hocam
onca yer gormuşsunuz zaman içinde ama bence en anlamlı gezilerinizden birisi bu olmuş, bir tarihe tanıklık etmek bu dijital makinenin olmadıgı zamanlarda 32 yıl once şimdiki teknolojiyi , 10 decade sonra fotografta dijital goruntuyu tahmin ediyor muydunuz bilmiyorum ama o koşullarda yaptıgınız çekim de son derece ozenli ve başarılı

tober (8797) 2008-05-02 2:09

Merhaba Sayın Hocam, bu fotoğraf gerçek anlamda tarihe tanıklık eden cinsten. Ne mutlu ki, bu büyük futbolcuyu sahada oynarken fotoğraflamışsınız. Gerçi sene 1976 olunca eski formunda değildir ama, bu hâliyle bile harikalar yaratabileceğine eminim Pele'nin.

Topu göremeyince, yukarıdaki diğer yorumlara baktım. Hakikaten göremeyen tek ben değilmişim. Bazı bulmacalar olur, "bu karede topun hangi karede olduğunu bulana ödül verilecektir" diye. Bu fotoğrafınızı görünce aklıma o türden bulmacalar da geldi birden.

Bilgilendirici notunuzla gerçek bir belgesel hazırlamışsınız Hocam. Elinize sağlık, Saygılarla... Tolga

jurgen (2074) 2009-02-09 2:59

Hello Bulent:
Such an historic moment you have photographed here. I can't believe you were there personally to take this picture. I wasn't even one year old at that time.
But it seems that the stadium was not full with people because the seats at the back are empty.
A very well preserved film you must also have had.
The Argentinians may say that Maradona was the best all-time football (or "fútbol") player. But I think they are wrong.
Regards,
Jürgen

BWJ (3094) 2009-02-11 18:37

Hello Bulent,
What a fantastic action shot! Not only have you frozen the play action, you preserved a moment of history. How fortunate you were to see Pele play soccer. Thank you for the excellent note.
Kind regards,
Betty

CLODO (45116) 2010-02-07 0:50

Hi Bulent

You reached your goal! It's an incredible picture you got here, you were well placed, waiting for this moment, and trigged at the right instant, even if we don't see the ball. The stadium was empty, only a few persons came to see THE great Pelé!
Have a nice sunday
CLODO

nikkitta (17070) 2012-03-23 20:12

Merhaba Bulent

Gol...
What a perfect time to shot at such a perfect player as ( it 's said) Pele was
Of course you were well positioned to get a capture with a good POV
Like the frame, a very artistic one, matching colors with the field

Next time, you must go to Barcelona and capture a gol from Messi, easy, he does lots in each game

Warm regards
Maria

Sonata11 (34119) 2012-06-19 20:28

Hello Bulent,
Wooow !!! this is an excellent shot. It is hard to imagine that this picture is that old. Wonderfully executed, fabulous colors, sharpness, clarity, fantastic captured. An amazing picture with Pele, I remember!!!! Bulent, you were lucky to have opportunity that time. Congratulation. I love it a lot.
All the best,
Barbara

BennyV (34748) 2016-01-25 7:53

Hello dear Buletn

Amazing that you've captured this bit of football history. Thanks for uploading it to my 'beautiful game' theme. First I thought it was a goal against Italy, as the shirts of the opposing team are somewhat similar.

Pele played a game on my local football ground in Antwerp too, but I was too young to remember anything about it, so it's all legend and hearsay for me.

Thanks again for sharing this beauty.

Benny